tmux Command
Intermediate Process Management man(1)Terminal multiplexer with session management
👁 13 views
📅 Updated: Mar 15, 2026
SYNTAX
tmux [COMMAND]
What Does tmux Do?
tmux (terminal multiplexer) creates persistent terminal sessions with multiple panes and windows. It is the modern replacement for screen, offering better split-pane support, configuration, and scripting.
tmux allows you to create sessions with multiple windows, split windows into panes, detach and reattach sessions, and customize every aspect of the interface. Sessions survive SSH disconnection.
tmux is essential for developers and administrators who work on remote servers, need multiple terminal views simultaneously, or want persistent workspaces across SSH sessions.
tmux allows you to create sessions with multiple windows, split windows into panes, detach and reattach sessions, and customize every aspect of the interface. Sessions survive SSH disconnection.
tmux is essential for developers and administrators who work on remote servers, need multiple terminal views simultaneously, or want persistent workspaces across SSH sessions.
Options & Flags
| Option | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| new -s | Create a named session | tmux new -s work |
| attach -t | Attach to existing session | tmux attach -t work |
| ls | List all sessions | tmux ls |
| kill-session | Kill a session | tmux kill-session -t work |
| split-window | Split current pane | tmux split-window -h |
| send-keys | Send keys to a session (scripting) | tmux send-keys -t work 'make build' Enter |
Practical Examples
#1 Start named session
Creates a new tmux session named "project".
$ tmux new -s project#2 Detach
Detaches from the session, leaving it running.
$ Ctrl+B then D
Output:
[detached (from session project)]
#3 List sessions
Shows all active tmux sessions.
$ tmux ls
Output:
project: 3 windows (created Mon Jan 1 12:00:00 2024)
#4 Reattach
Reconnects to the project session.
$ tmux attach -t project#5 Split panes
Splits the current window into panes for side-by-side work.
$ Ctrl+B then % (vertical)\nCtrl+B then " (horizontal)#6 Scripted session setup
Creates a session with vim on the left and a shell on the right.
$ tmux new -d -s dev && tmux send-keys -t dev 'vim .' Enter && tmux split-window -t dev -h && tmux attach -t devTips & Best Practices
Essential shortcuts: Ctrl+B is the prefix. D=detach, C=new window, N=next window, P=previous, %=split vertical, "=split horizontal, arrow=switch pane.
Customize in .tmux.conf: Create ~/.tmux.conf for custom key bindings, mouse support, and appearance. Many people remap the prefix from Ctrl+B to Ctrl+A.
Prefix key collision: Default prefix Ctrl+B conflicts with some terminal apps. Set a custom prefix in .tmux.conf: set-option -g prefix C-a
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start and detach from a tmux session?
Start: tmux new -s name. Detach: Ctrl+B then D. Reattach later: tmux attach -t name.
How do I split the screen?
Ctrl+B then % for vertical split. Ctrl+B then " for horizontal split. Ctrl+B then arrow keys to switch between panes.
What is the difference between tmux and screen?
tmux has better pane splitting, configuration (.tmux.conf), and scripting. screen is older and more widely available. tmux is generally preferred.
Related Commands
More Process Management Commands
Master Linux with Professional eBooks
Curated IT eBooks covering Linux, DevOps, Cloud, and more
Browse Books →